With Some Vehicles Registering More than 150,000 Miles, Kennedy Announces $1.8 Million in Federal Funds for Buffalo Airport to Replace Shuttle Vans

Kennedy: A Modern Airport Deserves Modern Amenities - New Vans Will Put Buffalo’s Best Foot Forward and Ensure Travelers Can Ride in Safety & Comfort Funding Secured by Kennedy in Federal Budget Will Replace Four Vans in Airport’s Parking Lot Shuttle Fleet CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was joined by leadership from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to announce $1.8 million in federal funding he secured that will replace four of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport’s parking lot shuttle vans. With several of the vans registering more than 150,000 miles and showing wear and tear from thousands of airport parking lot pick ups and drop offs, the new vans will ensure that travelers using the busiest airport in the state outside of New York City can get to their destination safely and comfortably. Surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the airport sees 11,000 passengers per day and has surpassed 5 million travelers in each of the last two years. Most importantly, the airport generates $1.7 billion in annual economic activity, supports nearly 14,000 jobs, and generates $139 million in state and local taxes. The NFTA continues to aggressively pursue Canadian passengers, with approximately 30% of passenger traffic originating from neighboring Ontario. New shuttle vans will ensure the airport remains competitive with its peers on both sides of the border, offering the latest amenities to families that are on the move. “The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the first impression tens of thousands of visitors have of our region, and we have to put our best foot forward,” said Congressman Kennedy . “With the airport’s fleet of parking lot shuttle vans aging and racking up miles on the odometer, these new vans mean that families traveling in and out of the Buffalo Niagara region will be able to enjoy comfort and the latest amenities every step of the way from the parking lot to their gate.” “We are grateful to Congressman Tim Kennedy for his continued support of public transportation and his commitment to investing in cleaner, more accessible mobility solutions for our community,” said Kim Minkel, Executive Director of the NFTA . “This funding will help the NFTA modernize its fleet at the Buffalo Airport with electric airport shuttle vans. This will help us improve reliability, sustainability, and the overall customer experience. We appreciate Congressman Kennedy’s partnership in helping us move our region forward.” The Buffalo Niagara International Airport offers more than 100 flights per day to 31 locations across North America. In 2025, J.D. Power & Associates ranked among the highest in the nation among medium-sized airports for customer satisfaction. Last month, Kennedy announced another $8.7 million in federal funds to replace up to eight existing passenger boarding bridges, along with new ground power units. ###